Takumi Kanaya wins Asia-Pacific Amateur, earns spot in the Masters

SINGAPORE (AP) — Takumi Kanaya closed with a 5-under 65 to win the Asia-Pacific Amateur on Sunday and earn a spot in the Masters and British Open next year.

Kanaya capped off a 64-65 weekend at Sentosa Golf Club for a two-shot victory over Rayhan Thomas of India and Keita Nakajima of Japan, who was coming off a gold medal in the Asian Games.

Kanaya, who finished at 13-under 267, received a congratulatory phone call from Hideki Matsuyama, a two-time winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur. Matsuyama also won in Singapore in 2011 when the tournament was held at Singapore Island Country Club.

"This is simply like a dream," Kanaya said. "I have been dreaming of going to the Masters ever since I was a kid. I never expected to play the Masters and the Open so early in my career, so this is just huge."

Thomas was 15 under over his final three rounds after opening with a 74. He still had the best finish by an Indian player in the 10-year history of the Asia-Pacific Amateur, which was created by Augusta National Golf Club and the Royal & Ancient.

By finishing second, Thomas and Nakajima are exempt into the final stage of British Open qualifying next summer.

"One thing I definitely learned from this week is that you can't win a championship of this level after starting with a 4-over round," said Thomas, who made only one bogey over his last 45 holes.